Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom

Chapter 439

He stood frozen in disbelief, eyes wide with confusion-and an odd flicker of heartbreak. His arms hung stiffly in the air, as if unsure what to do.

"Orion's little sister?" he echoed, incredulous.

Claire lifted her head from his chest. Her eyes and nose were crimson from crying, and her face was streaked with tears. She looked heartbreakingly small and vulnerable.

She gazed up at Sean's young face, almost hungrily, as if she was trying to memorize every detail, to etch his features into her heart forever.

In her past life, it had all been her fault. She'd insisted on going into the mountains

to witness Vanessa's tragedy for herself, and because of that, Mr. Foster's legs were crushed by falling rocks. She'd died too soon, never living to see him walk again.

If Mr. Foster's legs could never heal because of her, that pain would be worse than death itself.

Mr. Foster had always treated her with such kindness. She couldn't even bear to imagine how devastated he must have been when he'd found her lifeless body.

The thought made Claire sob even harder. Through her tears, she choked out, "Mr. Foster, I missed you so much... I really, really missed you...'

Her grief overwhelmed her, and she clung to Sean's waist with desperate strength, as if letting go would make him vanish before her eyes.

Sean, who was always so stoic and reserved, suddenly looked completely lost. "D-Don't... don't cry," he stammered.

with small hands to wipe her

the first time anyone had hugged him so

child had ever

so, why did seeing

Sean-usually so clever-was utterly

more kept streaming

ever leave you again. I won't let you get

didn't quite understand what she was saying. All he wanted was for her to

since he'd lost his mother, his heart had grown colder year by year. But watching the little girl

and filled with an ache

then, Orion's angry shout rang out: “Sean, what are you

Sean aside, pulling Claire

arms.

why are you picking

slipped from his grasp, Sean felt oddly empty

cold mask as he faced Orion. "I wasn't

you weren't, then why is my

He honestly had no idea why his presence

won't answer, it must mean you

and Zachary exchanged

didn't do